Rabbit Farming (Cuniculture): Raising Rabbits for Meat

If you’re interested in commercial rabbit farming or cuniculture, this article might help.

For many people, rabbits are small, quiet, docile pets given to their children to teach them responsibility. But, for others, they are an invaluable food source that’s easy to raise and breed [1].

The rabbit farming business is sustainable enough that it’s not likely to fail once a method is in place. But first, you need to know what you’re doing.

Below is a comprehensive guide to rabbit farming at home.

Benefits of Raising Rabbits

The importance of rabbit farming cannot be overstated. You’ll be surprised at its profitability when you enter the rabbit-rearing business.

Female rabbits have an average litter size of 4 to 8 kits. Each rabbit can also breed a few times a year.

Moreover, they grow quickly, and their meat is tasty and nutritious without religious taboos.

Along with the meat, you can also use their manure for fertilizer. Some farmers even enter their rabbits into contests.

If you can handle the idea of raising rabbits for meat, they’re a great investment.

Breeds

You’re spoiled for choice when choosing meat rabbit breeds. There are many different options [2].

• New Zealands
• Rex
• Flemish Giants
• Florida White
• American Chinchilla
• Californians
• Cinnamon
• Champagne D Argent
• Harlequin
• Standard Chinchilla
• Satin
• American Blue
• Palomino
• Silver Fox

These are all popular breeds that you can raise for their meat. However, some people find the most profitable rabbit breeds to be Californians and white New Zealands.

The only problem you’re likely to encounter once you’ve decided is where to find the type of rabbit you want. Some are easier to find in certain regions than others.

Rabbit Production Basics

You have a couple of methods available to you.

The Deep Litter Method is best for small populations. This method requires a concrete floor and a 4-5 inch deep litter husk lined with straw, hay, or wood shavings.

Deep litter will produce and support up to 30 rabbits, with the two sexes separated.

Keep in mind that with this method, you have a higher chance of disease spreading through the herd.

The second is the Cage Method, which, as it sounds, keeps the rabbits in cages versus the free-roaming hutch.

This is optimal for commercially raising larger numbers of rabbits.

1. Feeding

The type of food will vary depending on the age and breed of the rabbits.

Adult rabbits require 12 to 20% crude protein in their diet, 15 to 20% fiber, 4 to 7% minerals, and 43 to 50% carbohydrate.

You will find all this in veggies like spinach, kale, carrots, parsnips, and cucumber. You can also give them green grass and vegetable scraps.

Additionally, ensure the rabbits have a generous and clean source of fresh water.

2. Breeding

The female rabbits mature enough for reproduction at around 5 to 6 months. However, do not put them together until the males are at least one year old to ensure quality stock.

Also, extra care should be given to those intended for breeding. If you have a sick doe, don’t breed it.

Once pregnant, females will gestate for anywhere from 28 to 31 days. A Doe delivers anywhere from 1 to 14 kits at a time.

3. Choosing the Best Rabbits for Meat

As listed above, you have several options when venturing into rabbit rearing for meat.

You’ll want a breed on the larger side, producing lean, muscular meat and giving birth to larger litters.

With this in mind, the New Zealands, Californians, and Champagne d’Argents are good choices, particularly if you’re a beginner.

They’re very muscular and will be ready to butcher at about eight weeks old.

Many doctors recommend white meat over others due to its lean nature, making it suitable for people with heart conditions.

Rabbit meat also has a similar taste to chicken, and it’s easy to prepare as well.

4. Killing Methods

This is the big one—the one most first-timers dread. There are three potential ways of killing meat bunnies, but most recommend the first method below:

Broomstick:

Place the rabbit on the ground before its favorite treat to distract it. Next, place a broomstick handle across its neck.

As you step on the other side of the handle to hold it in place, grab the hind legs and stand up straight as you’re pulling upwards at a ninety-degree angle.

This will create a stretching sensation as you feel the neck break. Once that happens, quickly remove the head and allow it to bleed out.

The broomstick is a favorite method because the animal will only feel maybe a half-second of it. It won’t have time to feel afraid.

Halal Slaughter:

This method isn’t highly recommended because it doesn’t kill immediately.

Still, if you do it right, the rabbit shouldn’t feel anything more than a sudden, heavy, drowsy sensation before going to sleep.

As before, please place it in front of a treat to distract it. Slice quickly through the jugular vein.

It will be dead in no time and ready for hanging and draining.

Non-Penetrative Captive Bolt:

This one is only recommended for those who know what they’re doing. It’s humane, but it must be done carefully so as not to cause any suffering.

Strike the rabbit’s forehead as quickly as possible. After stunning, bleed the rabbit in 10 seconds or less to ensure it does not suffer.

Whatever your killing method, you can take comfort in the fact that these rabbits die far more humanely than in the wild. There, they are often still alive and terrified as predators tear them apart.

Utilizing Rabbit Manure

Rabbit manure is an excellent organic fertilizer. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Rabbit poop is also dry and odorless, so it’s easy to collect and distribute without a huge mess.

The pellets will collect together in the bottom of the hutch, so gathering them is a breeze. Plus, you’ll get a ton of manure from your rabbit farm. Rabbits poop a lot!

Takeaway

With the great demand for white meat, having a commercial rabbit farm is a promising opportunity.

Rabbit meat is nutritious and quite tasty. If you’re looking to start your own business, try this venture.

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